History

The first Multicultural Business Conference was held on March 28, 2003 at the Sheraton Premiere in Tysons Corner, Virginia. The theme was “Break the Walls, Break the Barriers, and Build Bridges to Succeed”. The conference drew more than 400 business owners, entrepreneurs, corporate and government people. The success of this event led to our Second Annual Multicultural Business Conference, which was held at the Johnson Center of the George Mason University on August 12, 2004 with over 500 attendees, and 36 exhibitors and major corporate sponsors. The theme of our second conference was “Access to Success” highlighting the importance of networking, access to resources and business opportunities, education and training, and multicultural marketing.

Theme and Goals of the Third Annual Multicultural Business Conference

The theme for this year’s conference is “Access to Success: Global Challenges and Regional Opportunities”. Access, to training, timely information, resources and ability to identify new business opportunities remains the crucial element in any small, minority and women owned businesses in the area. While the multicultural business community has becomes the fastest growing segment of our regional economy, many are facing stiff competition from overseas. Through the conference training workshops, legislative forum, networking with other businesses and government agencies, attendees will be able to map out a short and long-term business strategy to grow their businesses. Attendees will also be able to see the demonstration of how e-Commerce, e-Procurement, and e-Marketing can help increase their productivity.

Conference Organizers and Partners (Preliminary List)

Business Development Assistance Group, Center for Business Planning and Development, Arlington and Fairfax Counties, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), US Small Business Administration (SBA) Washington District Office, Virginia Department of Business Assistance, Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise, Mason Enterprise Center of the George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Arlington Small Business Development Center, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Korea-American Association of Northern Virginia, National Congress of Vietnamese Americans, and Asian Marketing Services.

The Location

The Johnson Center of George Mason University is a unique facility designed to encourage learning. Its programming and use of space emphasize integration of the curricular and extracurricular activities of the diverse communities that comprise George Mason University

Special Guest Speaker: Lieutenant Governor of Virginia Tim Kaine

Global Challenges and Regional Opportunities (Panel Discussion)

Led by experts from the School of Public Policy of George Mason University, and leaders from the four fastest growing industries: Information Technology, Import/Export, Retail/Service, and Healthcare.

Workshop Topics

Tools for Doing Business with the Government
Legal Issues for Small Businesses (in four language groups: English, Spanish, Koran and Vietnamese)
Business Opportunities In Private Sector
Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses.